Northwest Lawn Calendar JAN   Stay off frozen grass Maintain tools FEB Mow monthly, Mulch MAR Thatch & Aerate every 4th yr. Overseed as needed with perennial rye and fine or creeping fescue. Mow weekly APR 15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000 sq ft (ok to skip) Mow 2x per week, Bag MAY JUN 1st - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000 sq ft JUL Water weekly, 1in/wk Mow weekly, Mulch, OR Ignore and let go dormant  AUG Stay off dry brittle grass SEP OCT Mow 2x per month, Mulch NOV 15th - Fertilize 3-1-2, 1 lb N / 1000 sq ft DEC Stay off wet mushy grass 3/16/2008 agw

Lawn Care Summary Fertilize 4 times per year with 3:1:2, using 4 lb N / 1000 sq ft / yr Mow weekly at 1.5” to 2”. Remove top third Water 1” per week, as needed, or not at all. To plant a new lawn – get a book & follow directions Use Perennial Rye Grass and Fine Fescue To Renovate a lawn – get a book & follow directions Disease Management – repeat (1,2,3) above

Typical Fertilizer Package Labeling Lawn Fertilizer Rules: Apply four pounds nitrogen per thousand square feet per year 4 Lb / 1000 SqFt / Yr Buy Fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio of N:P:K (N is for Nitrogen) Fairly Simple Formula: Annual Pounds of Fertilizer = Sq Ft / The First Number / 2.5 Typical Fertilizer Package Labeling King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

Lawn Fertilizer Calculator (Quarts) Instructions: Follow steps, 1, 2, 3, to look up your quarterly lawn fertilizer needs in quarts. QUARTS is easier than pounds! King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

Planting a New NW Lawn Plan so you plant during the optimum time of the year Mid August to mid September or mid May to mid June as a second choice Till and rough grade existing soil. Use existing soil when feasible. Till in Lime or other amendments if needed. Add amendments or imported soil at this time, spread as a layer. Finish grade via raking and rolling to produce a uniform profile with a firm surface. Apply pre-planting fertilizer high in Nitrogen. Apply seed with a drop seeder, or by hand and lightly rake it in. Apply no more than ¼ inch of mulch with wire basket mulch roller, or by hand. Irrigate site thoroughly at first and then with light repeat applications. Keep seedbed moist but not saturated for 1 to 2 weeks. Reduce frequency of irrigation after germination occurs. Mow as soon as there is grass to cut at about three weeks after planting. Fertilize with Nitrogen based fertilizer about 4 to 6 weeks after planting. Sit back and enjoy your new lawn! King County Master Gardener Lawns Training 2007 Austin Watson

Northwest Lawn References WSU Master Gardener Bulletins EM8742 - Sustainable Gardening, Chapter 12 EB0482 – Home Lawns (and many other EB’s) http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0482/eb0482.pdf Books (available at King County Library) Sunset Western Garden Book Lawn Care For Dummies ISBN 0764550772 The Lawn Bible ISBN 0786888423 The Internet http://gardening.wsu.edu/ http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resources.php http://www.seattletilth.org/hotline http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Natural_Lawn_&_Garden_Care/index.asp http://www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/lawn/src/main2.htm